Ex-Sheriff Arrested For Allegedly Trying To Trade Meth For Sex

A Republican former sheriff in Colorado was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly trying to trade meth for sex with a man, as his former colleagues from the Sheriff's department were "visually monitoring" the deal.

Patrick Sullivan, 68, who was Sheriff of Arapahoe County in Colorado from 1984-2002, was arrested Tuesday after an investigation by the Sheriff's department that began on November 17. Grayson Robinson, the current sheriff, said the investigation was prompted by a tip that Sullivan may be involved in distributing meth, according to the Denver Post.

Agent Matt Hanagan of the drug task force was brought in to the case and asked two confidential informants who worked with the task force whether they thought they could purchase methamphetamine from Sullivan. Both of them said they had engaged in sex acts with Sullivan in the past and said they would be willing to ask him for meth in exchange for a sex act.

After several phone calls and text messages, Sullivan agreed to meet one of the men at an Aurora home and bring meth to exchange for sex.

On Tuesday, officials followed Sullivan to the home, where he allegedly agreed to the trade. He faces a charge of unlawful distribution, manufacturing, dispensing or sale of a controlled substance, which carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison.

Sullivan is being held on $500,000 bail in a jail that was named after him, the Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility.

"The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is saddened, and this is a sad time for our community," said Robinsonm, who had served under Sullivan. "But we have a greater purpose, to serve our community with integrity and professionalism and that's exactly what we've done with this investigation."